Manchester not-for-profit participatory arts organisation, Made By Mortals is taking to the skies with Virgin Atlantic.
Its award-winning children’s podcast, Armchair Adventures, has landed a spot on the carrier’s inflight entertainment platform.
Made By Mortals was set up to engage elderly people and those with mental health conditions across Manchester and the North West, bringing their journeys to life through participatory music and theatre sessions.
When the 2020 pandemic saw millions of people restricted to their homes and deprived of vital social interactions, Made By Mortals recognised a crucial need for an outlet which people, young and old alike, could turn to for unity and a sense of support. As a result, Armchair Adventures was born: a fun, interactive podcast for children, created by older people.
The podcast works to bridge the gap between elderly and younger generations, using the stories of the group’s participants and translating them into educational lessons for children aged six to 10.
Andy Smith, director at Made By Mortals, said: “When the pandemic hit, we wanted to keep the connection between the older people and younger generations that we had established through our theatre productions and workshops. We decided that since we couldn’t take the shows out to children anymore, we’d provide a podcast for them, an interactive and fun arts and culture experience. We quickly adapted to Zoom, upskilling the elderly people, setting them up on the software and equipping them with cameras and microphones – that’s where Armchair Adventures was born.”
Season three of Armchair Adventures launches on October 6, and seasons one and two are available on Virgin’s flights, and all the usual ground-based platforms including Made By Mortals’ website, now.
